Just bought a Metro (automatic) ... 27 mpg ... WTf is going on!

[blacknbluezer]

Wow ok well ive had my 94 Geo Metro automatic for about 3 weeks now and i`m very very disapointed in my MPG, can someone please explain to me why i only got 27mpg in a damn Metro! no joke i drive this thing slower than a grandma and never go above 40 or 45 mph on the highway. i barely barely tap the gas pedal to accelerate and consistently do this. can someone please help me here, is it maybe the fact that i have to go up a 600 foot hill everyday?
Let me also add that its 106k miles and had the engine rebuilt about a week ago.
Thank you

[Frank Lee]

epa says 1.0 a/t 31 city, 35 hwy; worse if it's a 4 cyl. at 26/31 but that's listed starting '95 model?

since there were busy hands under the hood recently, something could be wrong... I'd check the timing first.

[blacknbluezer]

its a 3cyl. i bought this car expecting 40 mpg. i had him do the timing and set it to where its supposed to be.
do you think replacing the fuel filter would up the mpg? what else can i do?

[Frank Lee]

basics: timing, compression, no dragging brakes (metros are famous for that, and if they aren't, they should be). i doubt the fuel filter is causing a problem but it doesn't hurt to check the flow through it.

re: timing: does it seem to be running right? smooth, no hesitation, good power? what if the timing mark is wrong? could it have gotten messed up somehow during the rebuild? check the mark against tdc @ #1 cyl, or just time it by ear and see how it compares.

[euromodder]

Welcome to ecomodder.

What MPG did you get before the rebuild - if you drove it at all.

Originally Posted by blacknbluezer

is it maybe the fact that i have to go up a 600 foot hill everyday?

You have to come down that hill as well and will regain some of the energy you put into the climb.
So no, that isn't causing the low MPGs.

Does the coolant warm up quickly ?

Go over what was done on the engine - are all hoses tight etc.

New fuel and air filters will improve MPGs compared to (very) dirty ones - but won't do miracles. Check 'm out to see in what condition they are.

[jakobnev]

Originally Posted by blacknbluezer

i barely barely tap the gas pedal to accelerate and consistently do this.

Accelerating too slowly actually hurts FE, there are some threads about acceleration strategies and a good one on brake specific fuel consumption. I suggest you look them up. Also: some automatics need a little coaxing to get the best out of them, like tricking it to shift up by lifting off and then depressing the gas pedal again as much as possible without it shifting down again.

[abently]

Originally Posted by jakobnev

Accelerating too slowly actually hurts FE, there are some threads about acceleration strategies and a good one on brake specific fuel consumption. I suggest you look them up. Also: some automatics need a little coaxing to get the best out of them, like tricking it to shift up by lifting off and then depressing the gas pedal again as much as possible without it shifting down again.

+1

If you have a Scangauge / MPGuino, you will see this.... slow acceleration is bad because you are consuming a higher rate of gas, in a lower BSFC island, and for a longer period of time.

Autos aren't the greatest for FE either and ideally you would swap a manual into it.

Also, since you have just had the engine rebuilt, make sure you run it in hard if you want it to bed in properly and not use any oil.

Break In Secrets--How To Break In New Motorcycle and Car Engines For More Power

[Ryland]

Is the exhaust and tires stock size, how is the tire pressure and alinement? has the automatic transmission fluid been changed in the last 17 years?

[Christ]

It's an auto. S swap it to manual before you spend more money on it, other than making it run correctly.

Even with no mechanical background, you can do the swap in a day with basic hand tools.

[blacknbluezer]

thanks for all the replies guys, and to answer to some questions, there is no downhill to where i live, i live at the top and thats it, but the tranny fluid does need to be changed yes, it is black and low, but how does that effect FE? and converting to manual is out of the question i bought this thing to save money not put more into it. and i looked over to what was to done to the engine and it was timing, pistons, rings, belts, tensioner, water pump, new oil, bearings, valves in number 1 cylinder, and cylinder head machined. I think i might just try to go with Aero mods on this one, fender skirts and grille block as well as removing pass. side view mirror, with all this added up how much MPG difference am i looking at? keep in mind i only go 35-40 mph on the freeway.
thanks alot in advance